Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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The Scorpan Village, The Ninth Floor, The Dungeon

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Skitters-Across-The-Sand was resting on her bed-nook when she heard the thundering sound of legs on the sand, which could only herald the approach of her scorplings.

At the head of the pack of unruly juveniles was Sprints-Into-Danger. The girl was the smallest of the clutch but was the fastest of them all. She was named that for her habit of running directly toward loud noises and movements. Following close behind were her sisters, Climbs-Tall-Things and Sunset-Carapace.

Climbs had the habit of climbing the tallest building or feature she could and watching the goings on of the area from her elevated position. Sunset had the most spectacular carapace Skitters had ever seen, a pink-orange color that sparkled and looked particularly striking in the setting sun.

Trailing behind them were Skitters' last two scorplings, Beats-His-Chest and Looms-Behind-Clutch-Mates. Beats had a habit of confronting others by, obviously, puffing himself up and beating his chest. Skitters was sure he'd surpass his father's size at the rate he was growing.

Looms was in a similar state growth-wise, though he was bigger than his brother. He was named because of his protective nature, always being nearby so he could come to his sibling's aid. Specifically, to Sunset and Climbs' aid. The two were less confrontational than their clutch mates.

"Mama! Fire People!" Sprints exclaimed, having stopped directly in front of Skitters and bouncing enthusiastically in place.

"I saw first!" Climbs complained, pouting and crossing her arms. "I wanted to tell. No fair!" Sprints flared her mandibles at her sister but wilted at her mother's look. It was an act equivalent to 'sticking out your tongue,' and they knew it was rude.

"Fire people? Ah! Yes, the Fire Court was due a day ago. They must have been held up on the Eighth." Skitters stood, stretched her arms and claws, and started heading towards the door. "Did you want to come to see them?" They chittered in excitement, exchanging half-formed sentences amongst the babbling.

Climbs-Tall-Things was quick to scramble onto Skitters' back, taking the 'best spot' by clinging to the humanoid part and peeking over her shoulder. Sunset followed, settling daintily on the larger, flatter portion in the middle of her scorpion half.

Sprints-into-Danger was back out the door in a flash, followed by her brothers, and Skitters wasn't far behind them. The whole trip over to the village gates, Climbs' kept up a semi-understandable stream of consciousness.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

"They came down walls and followed river. Theres Biiiiig one. Biiiig Big. Lots little ones too!" She said, obviously excited.

"Where'd you see them from?" Skitters asked, curious.

"Big Tree!" the scorpling replied, pointing over Skitters' shoulder towards a particularly large palm tree. "Almost got to top, and saw them before came down!"

"Was someone watching?" Skitters asked, gently reminding her rambunctious daughter that she'd asked Climbs not to climb the palms without someone keeping an eye on her.

"Uhuh! Looms watched me!" She insisted innocently. Skitters could only sigh. She'd meant for an adult Scorpan to watch, but obviously, that stipulation had been lost somewhere.

Skitters let it go, for now, as they approached the group of Scorpans assembling near the gates. Scorplings dipped and wove between their parent's legs, some curious and others shy. A quick glance later, Skitters found her friends and moved to join them.

"The Court here yet?" She asked Puddles and Preens. Preens-in-The-Light was a little busy, straining to restrain her three scorplings. Skitters didn't envy her. As unruly as her children could be, the three progeny of Preens and her mate Pounds-The-Earth were somehow all as energetic as Sprints on a bad day.

"Not yet," Puddles answered, her two quiet ones peeking over her shoulders. They'd inherited their mother's calm nature and were best friends with Sunset. As Skitters settled in between her friends, the scorplings on their backs moved closer together, whispering.

"How're you guys holding up?" Skitters inquired softly. Her two friends were silent for a moment. No one needed to ask what she was referring to.

"Coping," Preens replied, finally getting her scorplings to settle. "He was always there, watching over us. His presence was so pervasive and normal we took it for granted. Now. His absence is a void, like a hole in my soul." Puddles just nodded in agreement.

Skitters made a particular set of clicks and barks, a specific call that was unique to each Scorpan mother. Her wayward children answered promptly, taking places under and around her.

Just in time, too. Skitters could see the 'Big One' Climbs had talked about over the walls as it approached. The black stone plates shifted around over the orange magma beneath. The gates opened shortly after it came into view.

At the head of the group was a squad of Scorpans, the ones stationed to watch the canyon's entrance. Four led the procession in, while one was a little behind, conversing with a moving pyre of human-shaped flames. That Scorpan was her mate, Plays-With-Fires.

He seemed utterly enamored with the living flame, engrossed in their conversation. So much so that when the Court passed Skitters, Preens, and Puddles by, he didn't even register she was there.

Then they'd passed her, and Skitters was left blinking, confused.

She watched the rest of the diverse group of Sprites and Spirits pass through the village's other gate on their way to the King's Palace.

When Puddles put a hand on her shoulder, it was like she jerked out of a trance.

"You okay, Skitters?" She asked, concern obvious.

"Yeah," Skitters answered, turning back to the closing gate. "Yeah. I'm fine. I'm sure it was nothing."

He was at the head of the welcoming delegation, joined by his wives and eldest sons. The boys were getting big now. The tips of their horns just reached his shoulder. His first wife, Tauris, joined him, clad in her most elaborate robes and wearing a half-dozen charms.

Asterion himself was also dressed up for the occasion. Forgoing the simple kilt most Minotaurs wore for a more sophisticated robe, augmented by pieces of armor in the right places. He didn't like it. The feel of the fabric over his chest was foreign to him.

He stopped a dozen yards from the gate and held his ground as the Court approached. They stopped a decent distance away, and Igna approached with her entourage. The 'Queen' of the Fire Court was like a bonfire, even compared to the two others Asterion knew also occupied Potentium bodies. She hovered a foot above the ground, and the dry grasses she passed over wilted and blackened in the heat.

He refused to be intimidated by the enormous golem of stone and flowing lava.

"Welcome to the Tenth," Asterion grunted. "My son Aston will guide you to the Eleventh. Don't set anything on fire. Not even The Creator could put it out if you did." Igna reared back slightly, obviously surprised by his gruff welcome.

"Thank you, Asterion. Have I insulted you somehow?" Igna asked, looking confused and offended. The spirits around her flared slightly, their flames growing and their postures becoming more aggressive.

"Not at all, Fire Spirit," Tauris answered with an apologetic bow. "My mate is not a very verbose creature. He says what he means honestly and finds many common verbal rituals unnecessary. He meant no offense; it is simply his nature." Asterion grunted in agreement and gave a short nod.

That seemed to appease the spirit, and her companions.

"I see. I am sure your son will perform his task excellently," Igna replied, looking down at the young bull.

Asterion glanced at the boy, who seemed to mimic his father's stance. His arms were crossed, his back straight, his head set, and his chin raised slightly.

He couldn't be more proud.

He gave a short grunt, prompting his son to look up at him. They stood there for a few seconds, looking at each other. Aston nodded with a grunt and moved forward to join the odd-looking Drake-kin in the procession.

He saw Tauris roll her eyes and heard her mutter 'Bulls' under her breath. He gave a toothy grin.

"He will," The bull confirmed. "I was serious, though. Our floor is covered in trees and grasses. A stray flame could set the whole place alight. Just look beneath you for an example."

Igna looked down and seemed to cringe slightly at the dead, black grass under her. Her peers checked beneath their own feet and found the grass in a similar state.

"I'm a water mage," The strange Drake-kin stated as he stepped forward. "I'll make sure any fires are quickly contained, First Bull."

Asterion eyed the monster closely and found him familiar.

His body resembled the Drake-kin very closely, bar a few notable features. His blue scales and white fur were Snowbold traits, and while the 'crown' of horns was possible in the infinite variations the Drake-kin seemed to possess, he hadn't seen it before. He was clad in a mix of Warrior and Shaman dress, studded leather over blue and white robes patterned to look like a crashing wave. He held a long, well-carved staff. At one end was a short blade, and the other a blue-tinted monster core.

Where had he seen this monster before... Ah. Of course.

"You do that, Wave. You seem more comfortable in your skin. Adapted to The Creator's gift, have you?"

"I have," the monster replied. "Thank you for your concern." He bowed slightly, and Asterion grunted back.

"Going to live with the Court?" He asked, curious.

"No. The Eleventh calls to me. I plan to live on the shore and make my life there." Asterion eyed the monster. He spoke clearly and without hesitation. He'd made up his mind, then.

"The village will be here if you need to trade." He reminded Wave, who nodded in return.

"I will."

After that, not much was said. The court left, the Minotaurs returned to their daily routine, and the gate Guard kept an eye on the treeline for Aston's return.

The boy did so later, in the dark of night. He held a lit torch he certainly didn't leave with. The flame was interesting. A bright blue. It took a moment, but Asterion soon recognized it as the same flame The Creator used to light tunnels throughout the dungeon.

But this was a deep blue rather than the teal he was familiar with.

As he watched, the flame's color shifted through tones. An hour after his son returned, it was the familiar teal he recognized. Had someone in the Court given Aston this torch, or had Wave?

If it had been Wave... Why was the color of his manaflame blue, rather than the holy teal all Children shared?

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Max Porteous, 2023